Ensuring ethical investments in Gwynedd Council

A Plaid Cymru Councillor has successfully passed a motion today (3.10.24) thanks to the support of Gwynedd Councillors to review the local authority's investment strategy. The purpose is to confirm that the county’s public funds comply with human rights and international law around the world.

The notice of motion came from the Chair of Plaid Cymru’s Gwynedd group, Cai Larsen, to ensure that Cyngor Gwynedd prioritises ethical considerations when investing public funds.

“We see the atrocities that are happening in Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen and Myanmar on our television screens and mobile phones daily. And for some, it feels remote from our lives in Gwynedd. But for the friends and relatives of some of the Gwynedd residents we represent, who are innocently caught up in these wars, the situation is distressing and utterly devastating.

“It is also extremely important to people in Gwynedd who have taken part in vigils and demonstrations across the county over the past year.

Introducing the proposal, the councillor, who represents Caernarfon town centre on Cyngor Gwynedd, explained the background and context to councillors:

“Nearly a year after the war in Gaza began, the figures clearly show the devastation:

  • More than 40,000 Gaza residents killed by Israel security forces, the vast majority civilians.
  • Approximately 10,000 people, mostly innocent civilians, remain undiscovered but are almost certainly dead.
  • Over 90,000 people have been injured, again mostly civilians.
  • Close to 200,000 have died due to the indirect effects of Israel's army campaign.
  • The vast majority of the 2.2 million people living there have lost their homes or have had to move out of their homes.
  • Some Gwynedd residents have friends and family members living in Gaza.

“Supporting this proposal ensures that the council looks at its investment policy and places more emphasis on ethical priorities when looking at the council's financial investments.

“I must refer to Israel specifically because of the horrific circumstances faced by the people during the past twelve months. Here in Caernarfon, we have seen a vigil calling for a ceasefire held on Sunday nights for a whole year which began almost a year ago to the day. This shows the strength of the feeling we have towards the deplorable situation faced in Gaza.

“We must remember that the Western world has a much closer relationship with Israel than with other countries that have a poor record of respecting international law and human rights. The Israeli economy is integrated into the Western capitalist system, and as a result there is a higher risk of investments from public bodies in Wales making their way to Israel.

“That is the reason why I am pleased that Gwynedd Councillors have supported this proposal. By doing so, we express our opposition to what is happening in the Middle East today and to what has been happening there over decades. It underlines the belief at the core of our Welsh values, that there is value and equal value to all human life, irrespective of people's religious and ethnic backgrounds.”


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  • Ffion Clwyd Edwards
    published this page in News 2024-10-03 15:42:02 +0100

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